Tasmanian tree fern | Dicksonia antarctica

Dicksonia antarctica is one of the most extraordinary plants you can grow in a UK garden — a living link to the Jurassic period that brings genuine, theatrical drama to any space it occupies. At 75 cm, this is a developing specimen with a thickening trunk and a full canopy of magnificent, arching, deep green fronds. It looks like it belongs in a lost world, and it will absolutely transform your garden.

The fronds of Dicksonia antarctica are large, deeply divided, and a rich, lustrous deep green — arching outward and downward from the crown in a wide, sweeping canopy that creates deep, dappled shade beneath. The fibrous, hairy trunk is covered in old frond bases and roots, giving it an ancient, textural quality that is completely unique. No two tree ferns look quite the same, and the sense of age and presence they carry is impossible to manufacture with any other plant. In a shaded garden, against a stone wall, or in a tropical-inspired planting scheme, Dicksonia is the undisputed centrepiece.

Tree ferns grow very slowly — roughly 2.5 cm of trunk per year in UK conditions — so a specimen with any visible trunk has taken years to develop. At 75 cm with a developing trunk, this is a genuinely valuable and characterful plant. Indoors in a bright, sheltered conservatory or outdoors in a sheltered, shaded garden, it will continue to develop its magnificent canopy of fronds each season. Suitable for large containers, woodland garden schemes, and sheltered courtyard planting.

Dappled shade or partial shade is ideal — bright, indirect light rather than full sun. Dicksonia antarctica grows naturally in cool, shaded Tasmanian rainforests and performs best in similar conditions in the UK: sheltered from strong winds, protected from direct midday sun, and in a position with reliably good atmospheric humidity. A sheltered courtyard, the shade side of a building, or a woodland garden planting scheme are all excellent spots. Protect from hard frost in colder areas, particularly the crown.

The key care requirement is moisture, particularly for the trunk. In dry periods, watering the trunk directly (not just the soil) helps maintain plant health and encourages new frond growth. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In winter, stuff the crown loosely with straw or bracken for frost protection in colder regions. Remove old, damaged fronds cleanly at the base. Feed with a dilute balanced liquid fertiliser through the growing season. Handle the trunk carefully — avoid damaging the fibrous root structure on the outside.

Owning a Tasmanian tree fern is a particular kind of gardening experience. It connects you to deep time — to an era long before gardens existed — and brings a kind of primordial, green majesty to even a modest outdoor space. Beneath the arching fronds, everything becomes quieter and more shaded and more interesting. It is the plant that defines a garden as belonging to someone who really cares about what they grow.

• Truly Prehistoric Character: One of the oldest plant forms on Earth, growing unchanged for millions of years.
• Unmatched Dramatic Impact: No other hardy garden plant creates quite this level of theatrical presence.
• Rare and Collectable: A genuinely special plant that collectors and serious gardeners actively seek out.
• Air Purifying: Contributes to a fresh, humid microclimate in indoor and enclosed outdoor spaces.
• Suits Indoor and Outdoor Use: Thrives in sheltered gardens, courtyards, and bright conservatories.

Dicksonia antarctica is not just a plant — it is a statement about what kind of gardener you are. If you want something extraordinary, something that genuinely stops people in their tracks, this is it. Plant it in a sheltered, shaded spot and give it the moisture it deserves.

Size at dispatch: 75 cm in height, and comes in a 19 cm pot
Care level: Medium
Pet safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs. We still recommend discouraging pets from eating any plant.